House OKs bill extending driver's license validity on 2nd reading

MANILA, May 16 -- The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on second reading a bill seeking to extend the validity of drivers' licenses from three years to five years.

House committee transportation chair and Samar Rep. Cesar Sarmiento sponsored House Bill (HB) 5648 in the plenary during Tuesday’s session.

Sarmiento said the bill seeks to ease congestion in the Land Transportation Office (LTO), therefore boosting the government’s anti-red tape campaign.

HB 5648 is aligned with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to expedite the processes to address and lessen irregularities still persisting during application or renewal of licenses at the LTO.

The bill also seeks to streamline government transactions and address public complaints regarding renewal of licenses such as shortages of plastic cards, and legal issues surrounding the cards’ procurement, among others. (Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA)